Waydroid
Waydroid 1.6.3 for Linux Free & open source

Waydroid – Experience Android on Your Linux PC

Waydroid runs a complete Android system inside a lightweight container on your Linux desktop. Your apps and games open in normal windows next to your Linux software. Because it shares your kernel instead of booting a virtual machine, Android starts in seconds and stays responsive, even on modest hardware. It's free, open source and works across Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora, Arch and the Steam Deck.

Download Waydroid 1.6.3 See features
  • GPL-3.0 licence
  • Linux with Wayland
  • x86_64 & ARM64

Illustration only, not a real screenshot.

Version
1.6.3
License
GPL-3.0
Host OS
Linux (Wayland)
Android image
Android 13 (LineageOS 20)
CPU
x86_64 · ARM64
waydroid --features

What Waydroid Brings to Your Desktop

Waydroid isn't an emulator in the usual sense. It's Android running natively on your Linux kernel. Here's what that means day to day.

A full Android system in a container

Waydroid boots a complete Android userspace inside a Linux container (LXC), sharing your existing Linux kernel through the binder interface. There's no virtual machine to boot, so Android starts quickly and uses far fewer resources than a full emulator.

Android apps & gamesLineageOS userspace
Waydroid containerLXC + binder
Your Wayland desktopGNOME · KDE · Sway
Linux kernelshared, no VM

Apps as desktop windows

Run Android apps in their own resizable windows, or open the full Android interface with one command.

Hardware-accelerated graphics

Intel and AMD GPUs with Mesa drivers get accelerated graphics. Version 1.6.2 added Vulkan support for Intel GPUs using the xe driver.

Desktop notifications

Since 1.6.0, Android notifications are forwarded to your Linux desktop, so messages show up like any other app's.

Clipboard & file sharing

Copy and paste between Linux and Android and share files with the container. Very handy when testing apps.

x86_64 and ARM64

Runs on normal Intel/AMD PCs and on ARM64 Linux devices, including Linux phones and single-board computers.

Android games on Linux

Play mobile games with keyboard, mouse or controller. On Steam Deck, community scripts add Waydroid to Game Mode.

Open source & scriptable

GPL-3.0 code on GitHub, plus a command-line tool (waydroid app install, waydroid shell, waydroid upgrade) that's easy to automate.

waydroid --download

Waydroid Download & Software Details

Most people install Waydroid with their package manager. If you want the official release itself, the button below downloads the Waydroid 1.6.3 source archive from GitHub. The download starts while you stay on this page. Details checked on 11 November 2026.

Waydroid 1.6.3

Latest stable release · official GitHub
Package
waydroid
Version
1.6.3
Released
May 2026
Developer
Waydroid project (Erfan Abdi & contributors)
License
GPL-3.0
Host OS
Linux, Wayland session
Architecture
x86_64, ARM64
File
waydroid-1.6.3.tar.gz (source)
Android image
Downloaded at setup (LineageOS 20)
Download Waydroid 1.6.3 (.tar.gz)

Direct download of the official source archive from github.com/waydroid. You stay on this page. Ready-made packages come from your distro (see the commands).

Install with your distro

Pick your system. Commands follow the official Waydroid docs and distro packages.

Ubuntu / Debian

Add the official repo and install

$ sudo apt install curl ca-certificates -y
$ curl -s https://repo.waydro.id | sudo bash
$ sudo apt install waydroid -y

Debian also ships Waydroid in its own archive (testing, unstable and trixie-backports), and Ubuntu carries it in universe. The repo above usually has the newest build.

Fedora

Install from the official Fedora repositories

$ sudo dnf install waydroid

Fedora packages Waydroid 1.6.3 for Fedora 43 and newer, including an SELinux policy subpackage.

Arch

Install from the extra repository

$ sudo pacman -S waydroid
$ sudo systemctl enable --now waydroid-container

Arch packages Waydroid 1.6.3 in extra. Your kernel needs binder support. linux-zen is a common choice, or follow the ArchWiki for binder modules.

Steam Deck

Community SteamOS installer (Desktop Mode → Konsole)

$ git clone --depth=1 https://github.com/ryanrudolfoba/steamos-waydroid-installer
$ cd steamos-waydroid-installer
$ chmod +x steamos-waydroid-installer.sh
$ ./steamos-waydroid-installer.sh

This third-party script isn't made by Valve or the Waydroid team. SteamOS updates can wipe Waydroid, so rerun the script after an update.

First start

Download Android and start a session

$ sudo waydroid init -s GAPPS
$ sudo systemctl enable --now waydroid-container
$ waydroid session start
$ waydroid show-full-ui

Leave out -s GAPPS for the Google-free VANILLA image. Many desktop packages also add a Waydroid launcher icon that runs the setup wizard.

Official sources: the project lives at waydro.id, with docs at docs.waydro.id and releases on GitHub. We don't host, modify or repackage Waydroid.

waydroid --how

How to Download Waydroid the Right Way

Waydroid is Linux software, so getting it is a little different from downloading a Windows installer. Five checks keep it clean and simple.

  1. 01

    Check the requirements

    You need Linux running a Wayland session and a kernel with binder support. The right-hand panel lists everything.

  2. 02

    Choose how to get it

    Most people should use their package manager. Download the GitHub source archive only if you package software yourself or want the exact release files.

  3. 03

    Use the official destination

    Our main button downloads waydroid-1.6.3.tar.gz straight from the official Waydroid GitHub. The distro commands pull from your distro's own repositories or repo.waydro.id.

  4. 04

    Save and keep it organised

    The source archive saves to your Downloads folder. Packages install system-wide automatically. The Android image downloads later, during waydroid init.

  5. 05

    Verify the publisher

    Only trust github.com/waydroid, repo.waydro.id or your distro's repositories. Be suspicious of ".exe" or ".apk" files claiming to be Waydroid. It doesn't ship as either.

waydroid --about

What Waydroid Does

Waydroid's goal is simple: run real Android apps on a normal Linux system without the overhead of a virtual machine. It uses Linux namespaces through LXC to run a LineageOS-based Android system. That system talks to your kernel's binder driver and draws its windows through your Wayland compositor. The result feels much closer to a native app than to an emulator.

It's used by Linux desktop users who need one or two phone-only apps, by Linux phone owners (PinePhone, Librem 5 and others), by Steam Deck players and by developers who want a fast Android test box. Learn more about this site or read what Waydroid is used for.

Phone-only apps on the desktop

Banking, messaging or smart-home apps that have no Linux version, running in a window next to your browser.

Mobile gaming on Linux and Steam Deck

Casual and gacha games on a bigger screen. Check compatibility first, because some anti-cheat titles block it.

App testing for developers

Install APKs from the command line and test them quickly without starting a heavy emulator.

waydroid --install

Install Waydroid and Run Your First App

These steps work on any supported Linux distro. The commands are for Ubuntu and Debian. Swap the package command for dnf or pacman on Fedora or Arch.

  1. Switch to a Wayland session

    At the login screen, choose a Wayland session (GNOME and KDE Plasma default to Wayland on most modern distros). Waydroid won't start on plain X11.

  2. Install the waydroid package

    Add the official repo with curl -s https://repo.waydro.id | sudo bash, then sudo apt install waydroid. You'll need administrator (sudo) rights.

  3. Initialise Android

    Run sudo waydroid init for the Google-free VANILLA image, or add -s GAPPS for the Play Store. This downloads the LineageOS 20 images.

  4. Start the container and session

    Enable the background service, then start a user session. The Waydroid icon in your app menu does the same thing.

  5. Install and open apps

    Use the Play Store (GAPPS), F-Droid, or waydroid app install file.apk. Installed apps appear in your Linux launcher.

bash — first run
# 1. add the official repository
$ sudo apt install curl ca-certificates -y
$ curl -s https://repo.waydro.id | sudo bash
# 2. install Waydroid
$ sudo apt install waydroid -y
# 3. download Android (GAPPS = Play Store)
$ sudo waydroid init -s GAPPS
# 4. start container + session
$ sudo systemctl enable --now waydroid-container
$ waydroid session start
# 5. open Android or install an app
$ waydroid show-full-ui
$ waydroid app install ~/Downloads/app.apk
waydroid --requirements

Waydroid Compatibility & System Requirements

Waydroid runs on Linux only. The table separates officially supported setups from community and unsupported ones. Waydroid doesn't publish a strict minimum spec, so treat the hardware notes as practical guidance.

Platform support (checked 11 November 2026)
PlatformStatusNotes
Ubuntu / DebianSupportedOfficial repo.waydro.id, plus Debian and Ubuntu archive packages
FedoraSupportedOfficial Fedora package (1.6.3)
Arch LinuxSupportedextra repository; kernel with binder needed
Other distrosPackagedAlpine, openSUSE, Void, NixOS, postmarketOS and more
Steam Deck (SteamOS)CommunityThird-party installer script; SteamOS updates may remove it
X11-only sessionWorkaroundRun a nested Wayland compositor (Weston, Cage)
Windows (incl. WSL2)Not supportedNo official build; WSL2 experiments need a custom kernel
macOSNot supportedNeeds a Linux kernel
CPU architecturex86_64, ARM64ARM-only apps on x86 need a translation layer
Memory & diskUnconfirmedNo official minimum; plan for a few GB of disk for images and apps

Intel GPUs

Work best out of the box. Vulkan support for the xe driver arrived in 1.6.2.

AMD GPUs

Supported through Mesa. Some newer chips may need updated images.

ARM SoC GPUs

Common on Linux phones and boards with Mesa-supported GPUs.

NVIDIA (proprietary driver)

No hardware acceleration. Use the integrated GPU or software rendering.

git diff waydroid

Waydroid Pros and Cons

An honest look at what Waydroid does well and where it still needs care.

waydroid-review.md+5−5

Strengths

  • Near-native speed because Android shares the Linux kernel
  • Free, open source and actively released (1.6.x in 2025–2026)
  • Apps behave like desktop windows, with notifications and clipboard
  • Packaged by major distros, so updates arrive with the system
  • Works on ARM64 Linux phones, not just PCs

Limitations

  • Linux and Wayland only; no Windows or macOS version
  • No hardware acceleration on NVIDIA's proprietary driver
  • Official images are still Android 13
  • Some games and banking apps refuse to run in a container
  • Setup is command-line heavy compared to one-click emulators
waydroid --compare

Waydroid vs BlueStacks, Genymotion and the Android Emulator

Each tool solves a different problem. Here they are on the same criteria. For a deeper take, read Is Waydroid better than BlueStacks?

CriteriaWaydroidBlueStacksGenymotion DesktopAndroid Studio Emulator
ApproachContainer on the Linux kernelVirtualised Android playerVirtual machine (VirtualBox/QEMU)Virtual device (QEMU-based)
Host OSLinuxWindows, macOSWindows, macOS, LinuxWindows, macOS, Linux
Licence / costGPL-3.0, freeFree with ads; paid tierFree for personal use; paid business licencesFree
Main audienceLinux users, Linux phonesPC gamersDevelopers & testersAndroid developers
Apps as desktop windowsYesInside player windowInside device windowInside device window
Open sourceYesNoNoPartly (AOSP-based)

Third-party details are summarised from each vendor's public pages. Check them for current platforms and pricing.

waydroid log

Waydroid Troubleshooting & Best Practices

Most Waydroid problems come down to a few common errors. Find yours and apply the fix. For anything else, run waydroid log or waydroid bugreport and check the official release notes.

ERROR 01Wayland socket '/run/user/1000/wayland-0' doesn't exist; are you running a Wayland compositor?

You're in an X11 session

Log out and choose a Wayland session, or start a nested compositor (e.g. weston) and run Waydroid inside it.

ERROR 02ERROR: Action "init" needs root access

Init was run without sudo

Use sudo waydroid init. Only init and container commands need root; waydroid session start runs as your user.

ERROR 03Black screen / Android UI never appears (NVIDIA)

Unsupported GPU driver

Switch Waydroid to your integrated GPU or enable software rendering as described in the official docs and ArchWiki.

ERROR 04No internet connection inside Android

Firewall blocks the waydroid0 bridge

Allow DNS and DHCP (ports 53 and 67) and forwarding for the Waydroid interface in ufw or firewalld, then restart the container.

ERROR 05"This device isn't Play Protect certified"

GAPPS image not registered yet

Get your Android ID with sudo waydroid shell and register it on Google's uncertified-device page, as the Waydroid docs explain.

ERROR 06App not installed / crashes instantly on an x86 PC

The app is ARM-only

Install an ARM translation layer (libndk or libhoudini) with a community script, then reinstall the app.

Best practice: update Waydroid through your package manager, run sudo waydroid upgrade for images, and back up ~/.local/share/waydroid before big changes such as switching between VANILLA and GAPPS.

editorial --perspectives

Who Waydroid Suits Best

Our own editorial assessment of how Waydroid fits different users. These aren't customer reviews, quotes or ratings.

USE CASE · DESKTOP LINUX USER

Needs a couple of phone-only apps

On an Intel or AMD laptop with GNOME or KDE on Wayland, Waydroid is the lightest way to keep one or two Android apps around without a VM.

Our view: the ideal Waydroid user.

USE CASE · STEAM DECK PLAYER

Wants mobile games in Game Mode

Community scripts make it approachable, but SteamOS updates and anti-cheat limits mean some upkeep.

Our view: worth trying; check game compatibility first.

USE CASE · WINDOWS GAMER

Plays on Windows with NVIDIA

Waydroid doesn't target this setup at all. A Windows Android emulator is the practical choice here.

Our view: look elsewhere, or try Linux.

waydroid --help

Waydroid FAQs

Quick answers about downloading, editions, platforms, updates and support. For step-by-step help, see our Waydroid guides.

Is Waydroid free?

Yes. Waydroid is free and open-source software released under the GPL-3.0 licence. There is no paid edition, subscription or bundled adware. The Android images it downloads are based on LineageOS and are free too.

Where can I download Waydroid safely?

Install it from your Linux distribution's package manager or from the official Waydroid repository at repo.waydro.id. The source code and tagged releases live on the official Waydroid GitHub. The download button on this site starts the official 1.6.3 source archive from GitHub without leaving the page.

Does Waydroid work on Windows?

No. Waydroid needs a Linux kernel with binder support and a Wayland session. It isn't released for Windows. Some enthusiasts have run it inside WSL2 with a custom kernel, but that isn't official or supported. Windows users usually pick a Windows Android emulator instead.

Does Waydroid support Android 16?

The official Waydroid images are based on LineageOS 20, which is Android 13. Community builds from the WayDroid-ATV project offer Android 16 (LineageOS 23.2, QPR2) images, and their July 2026 release needs Waydroid 1.6.3 or newer. These builds are unofficial, so expect rough edges.

Can I use the Google Play Store in Waydroid?

Yes. Choose the GAPPS image during setup, for example with sudo waydroid init -s GAPPS. Google may flag the device as uncertified at first. The official Waydroid docs explain how to register your Android ID so you can sign in.

Does Waydroid work on an X11 desktop?

Not directly. Waydroid needs a Wayland session. On an X11 desktop you can log into a Wayland session instead, or run Waydroid inside a nested Wayland compositor such as Weston or Cage.

Will Waydroid work with an NVIDIA graphics card?

NVIDIA's proprietary driver doesn't support Waydroid's hardware acceleration. You can switch Waydroid to your integrated Intel or AMD GPU, or use software rendering, which works but is slower. Intel and AMD GPUs with open Mesa drivers work best.

Can I install Waydroid on a Steam Deck?

Yes, through community tooling. The popular SteamOS Waydroid Installer script sets up Waydroid and adds it to Game Mode. It isn't made by Valve or the Waydroid team, and SteamOS updates can remove it, so you may need to rerun the script after an update.

Which image should I choose: VANILLA or GAPPS?

Choose VANILLA if you want a Google-free Android and plan to use F-Droid or APK files. Choose GAPPS if you need the Play Store and Google services. You can switch later by re-initialising Waydroid.

How do I update Waydroid?

Update the waydroid package with your normal system updates (apt, dnf, pacman and so on). Android images can be updated with sudo waydroid upgrade. Check the release notes on GitHub before major upgrades.

Can Waydroid run ARM-only Android apps on an Intel or AMD PC?

Not out of the box. The x86_64 images can't run ARM-only apps until you add an ARM translation layer such as libndk or libhoudini. These are usually installed with community scripts. Performance and compatibility vary from app to app.

Is Waydroid.org the official Waydroid website?

No. Waydroid.org is an independent guide. The official project website is waydro.id, the documentation is at docs.waydro.id, and the source code is on GitHub.

waydroid session start

Bring Android Apps to Your Linux Desktop

Fast, free and open source. Download the official Waydroid 1.6.3 release or install it from your distro in a few minutes.

  • v1.6.3
  • GPL-3.0
  • Linux · Wayland
  • x86_64 · ARM64
Download Waydroid 1.6.3

Downloads the official source archive from the Waydroid GitHub. You stay on this page.